The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the names of some candidates earlier published as eligible to contest the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, following a review of complaints submitted by political parties.

 

The development has raised fresh questions about the status of several politicians whose names were initially omitted from the commission’s list but were subsequently cleared after petitions were considered.

 

Among those whose candidacies attracted attention were former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu; and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo.

 

INEC had initially published its final list of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates on October 10, 2026. However, the omission of several prominent candidates triggered reactions from political parties and raised concerns over compliance with the Electoral Act.

 

Why INEC Initially Excluded Some Candidates

 

The commission had explained that some candidates were left out because their political parties failed to submit their membership registers within the period prescribed by law.

 

The decision followed a September 24, 2026, Supreme Court judgment which affirmed the constitutionality of Section 77(5)-(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026. The provisions make the submission of membership registers a statutory requirement for political parties.

 

INEC said it relied on the Supreme Court judgment while preparing the candidates’ list, citing Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires public authorities to comply with decisions of superior courts.

 

The electoral body subsequently directed political parties that believed their candidates had been wrongly excluded to submit complaints in line with Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

 

The deadline for submitting such notifications was October 24, 2026.

 

INEC Reviews Petitions, Clears Some Candidates

 

Following the review of complaints received from political parties, INEC approved the inclusion of some candidates and their parties after finding merit in their representations.

 

Sources had indicated that Pantami and Gwarzo were cleared to contest the 2027 elections, subject to the outcome of pending court cases, while Adebutu was not cleared.

 

The commission also considered complaints involving the wrongful inclusion of candidates whose names were absent from the membership registers submitted by their parties, as well as cases of alleged multiple nominations.

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In a statement issued by Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission confirmed that some previously omitted candidates had been approved for inclusion, while other names initially published were removed.

 

INEC explained that its decisions followed an examination of the petitions, relevant records and applicable legal provisions.

 

It added that complaints considered to be without merit were rejected, while candidates whose nominations failed to meet legal requirements were removed from the list.

 

The commission particularly noted that decisions involving State Houses of Assembly candidates were based on specific complaints received and determined according to the law and its established criteria.

 

69 Governorship Petitions Received Across 26 States

 

INEC disclosed that it received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning the governorship elections.

 

Of the petitions, 41 were successful, while 28 were rejected after the commission’s review.

 

For the State Houses of Assembly elections, the commission received 61 petitions from 11 political parties across 11 states.

 

According to Haruna, 25 of the petitions were successful, while 36 did not meet the requirements for approval.

 

The figures show that INEC considered a total of 130 petitions relating to the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

 

Updated Candidates’ List To Be Published

 

INEC said the names of affected candidates, their political parties and the states concerned would be reflected in an updated version of the candidates’ list on its official website.

 

The commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and the credibility of the electoral process, assuring political parties and the public that the review was conducted in accordance with the law.

 

The latest development comes as political parties and candidates continue preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the eligibility and nomination of candidates remaining subjects of legal and administrative scrutiny.

 

With some candidates added and others removed following the review, the updated INEC list is expected to provide further clarity on those officially cleared to participate in the forthcoming elections.